Werder Bremen claimed a 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig at the Weserstadion in their second Bundesliga match of the 2026 season. The result leaves both sides level on three points after two games, though Werder sit ninth while Leipzig occupy seventh place. It was a surprising outcome given Leipzig's dominant possession and the visitors' recent form.
Eren Dinkci gave the hosts an early advantage with a goal in the fourth minute. Things came to a head shortly after when Christopher Nkunku appeared to win a penalty, but the VAR review cancelled the decision. By then Werder had already established their confidence, and the cancelled spot-kick shifted momentum further in their favour.
The second half brought a flurry of substitutions as both managers reshuffled their options. Johan Bakayoko came on for Leipzig in the 63rd minute, while Werder introduced Arthur Augusto De Matos Soares and brought off Dinkci himself. Niclas Füllkrug then proved decisive, scoring in the 68th minute to extend Werder's lead before being substituted himself five minutes later.
Marco Grüll added a third goal for Werder in the 80th minute, putting the result beyond doubt. Ridle Baku pulled one back for Leipzig in stoppage time at 90+5, but it was merely a consolation. The visitors had the game won inside twenty minutes if the penalty had stood, but things changed completely after that decision.
The statistics tell a different story from the scoreline. Leipzig controlled 71 per cent of possession and completed 691 passes compared to Werder's 287, yet the hosts generated more shots on target with seven to Leipzig's five. Werder's expected goals figure of 0.95 belied their three-goal haul, while Leipzig's 1.5 xG failed to materialise into a second goal.
The result means both teams remain on three points from two matches, but the quality of the performances could not be more contrasting. Werder's recent form had been mixed, including a heavy 4-1 defeat to Freiburg, while Leipzig had recorded wins against Gladbach and Eintracht Trier. This match suggests the standings will not reflect the true picture of either side's season so far.